Why banning Kwanzaa defies the American ideal

Tuesday

Jan 29, 2013 at 9:51 AMJan 29, 2013 at 10:23 AM

Editor's Note: The Editor's Corner column in the Jan. 11 issue commented on the outcry to Wisconsin Sen. Glenn Grothman's call to ban the African-American observance of Kwanzaa and its teaching in schools, saying that its founder had a dubious past and that it creates a separation of races. Although the uproar has died down a bit, and the idea apparently lacked support, it drew a response in the column from the head of the Pocono Mountains Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club USA.

Editor's Note: The Editor's Corner column in the Jan. 11 issue commented on the outcry to Wisconsin Sen. Glenn Grothman's call to ban the African-American observance of Kwanzaa and its teaching in schools, saying that its founder had a dubious past and that it creates a separation of races. Although the uproar has died down a bit, and the idea apparently lacked support, it drew a response in the column from the head of the Pocono Mountains Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club USA.

Cleo Meriabut Jarvis, chairwoman of the Kwanzaa Committee of the African American Network, also sent in this response. AAN held a public celebration at the Eastern Monroe Public Library Hughes Branch in Stroudsburg last month.

The African-American Network of the Poconos was formed to meet a need in the Pocono Mountain Region as more African-Americans moved to the area. The intention was to unify, support and fortify. Many of our members liked the concept of Kwanzaa's Principles because they provide African-Americans a venue to unify, share with and uplift one another, which supports our bylaws. The members, therefore, voted to create a celebration open to the entire community.

Many of our members began celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25, followed by Kwanzaa on Dec. 26 through New Year's. We exercised our Kujichagulia and determined for ourselves that we, as a community, needed this activity. And just as other holidays had an inception — becoming popular over time — so has Kwanzaa. Our audiences have been more than 100 in attendance, and we always embrace everyone, including local politicians and their families.

At our Kwanzaa events, African-Americans from all backgrounds are joined by family and friends, including those of other cultures, to celebrate and learn about the best of African-Americans. We also come together to learn about the contributions of African-Americans because we were never taught the information in school.

Likewise, the principles of Kwanzaa are utilized by many people around the world. The unifying, and healing power of Kwanzaa has been well established. During the 1960s and '70s many African-American family members were divided by differences along religious lines. They were angry, arguing and some even stopped speaking to each other. Additionally, December was the month when most contentions arose as many impoverished African-Americans felt the need to purchase items they could not afford at holiday time.

With the advent of Kwanzaa, folks were able to come together and say, "We are here to celebrate our accomplishments, to share our plans for the future and, as a family, discuss how we can help each other accomplish our goals — on that we can agree." Families were healed by celebrating Kwanzaa, and it was absolutely beautiful.

Along the same lines, students who were introduced to the principles of Kwanzaa during the height of gang warfare and the influx of a drug epidemic tended not to engage in gang or drug-related activities. They were supported by family and friends to exercise their right to determine for themselves what was best for them. They were fortified by a strong knowledge of their ancestors, upon whose shoulders they stand.

Now what's wrong with that? What is so wrong with an event that makes people who were feeling isolated, unloved and unwanted realize that they are not alone — they have family, a rich and diverse heritage to be proud of, and that they have something to live for in the hope for tomorrow provided by the youth?

It is well established that a positive self image helps youth make good choices. Equally, elders as models or mentors help youth develop a positive self-image. Should it not be of more concern to model for the youth that we live in a melting pot of diverse people and beliefs? Although we may not choose to engage in certain activities, we must defend the right of others to do so, as we would wish for them to defend our life choices. That's the ideal of America. That's the America we love — a democratic society.

In such a society, diversity is a reality. It's the true Americans who can agree to disagree. The true Americans understand the concept of melting pot, understand that we may not act, eat, dress, dance or speak the same, but we allow others the privilege of doing what they deem fit.

It must be stated at this point that when other cultures speak fondly of their ancestral heritage, many African-Americans cannot do the same because of a collective shame and inferiority complex imposed by negative stereotypes of people of African ancestry throughout the world. Kwanzaa was created as a remedy to such feelings and sought to uplift the elders and fortify the youth to do their best.

An attack on Kwanzaa came to public attention from Wisconsin Sen. Glenn Grothman, calling for a ban to the holiday, or the real reasons behind it; however, we will continue to exercise our right as tax-paying citizens to choose to learn about and celebrate the accomplishments of our people, as well as teach our youth of the great things their ancestors have contributed to the world. Those of other cultures who wish to learn and celebrate with us are welcome.

We have been told by participants of Latino, German, Asian and Irish ancestry, as well as our local elected officials, what a great time they had at our celebration and how much they learned. Members of our audience also stated that they were inspired to want to learn more.

We live in a democracy. Our constitution upholds certain rights and freedoms for all citizens of our country. In order to maintain these rights, citizens must allow those they disagree with to exercise their right to choose. And just as we honor the right of people of other cultures to have parades and other public programs to celebrate their cultures "» we expect the same respect. We will defend everyone's right to choose for themselves, and Kwanzaa is our choice.

This is a cynical world we live in, where more people express their dissatisfaction with their lives violently. Yet, some elected officials seem to be idle enough to find time to posture in the media about something they themselves deem as unimportant.

It is quite apparent to we who celebrate Kwanzaa that the senator in question and his friends have never experienced a real Kwanzaa celebration. As we all know, experience is the best teacher and if they had, they would never find fault.

African-Americans are as diverse and eclectic a group as any other. Therefore, it is not unusual for folks to disagree about any given topic. What is disturbing in this case is the source of opposition. We are wondering why a senator and his friends feel that Kwanzaa is not a real holiday, and that "most" African-Americans don't want to celebrate it despite the evidence of millions who celebrate it around the world. If that premise is indeed accurate, then what is the purpose of his campaign against Kwanzaa? Would his time be best spent focusing on matters that impact all of his constituents, such as providing better educational opportunities for all, creating jobs and providing health care, for instance?

In conclusion, Kwanzaa is real to us, a time when we celebrate "The Best of Us." This is one of the few times that no one cares about religion, gender or social status. We all share the same ideals, to be the best we can, and to help create a wonderful future for our youth and, beyond that, our country and the world.